mere effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that the effort being discussed is minimal or insignificant compared to the outcome or expectations. Example: "Despite his mere effort in preparing for the exam, he still managed to pass with a decent grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Still, Mayor Sloan of Wildwood is both skeptical and frustrated by the mere effort.

The New York Times

The mere effort of trying to sort out the maybes, the would-haves, and the might-yets that populate a film like "Looper" makes me feel that my neocortex has been removed and replaced with Juicy Fruit, much chewed.

The New Yorker

The mere effort of both maintaining and denying this charade has made America maniacal and Blackness insane.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Critics dismiss these efforts as mere political posturing, an effort to obscure the profound divide on abortion's morality and legality.

The New York Times

– with a mere 120 seconds' effort.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is no mere beginner's effort.

The New York Times - Books

It is tempting to dismiss this as a mere marketing stunt an effort to make people feel better about eating things they really shouldn't.

The Economist

Tries for Stuart Jones and Brett Ferres then dragged the Tigers right back into the contest, before Goulding and O'Loughlin scored quickfire doubles to render Craig Huby's late effort mere consolation for the hard-working visitors.

The Guardian - Sport

MONUSCO, the UN stabilisation mission in the DROC, delivered mattresses and a food load in December of 2013, but it was a mere stop-gap effort.

Vice

These reactions may cause some at the UN and members of the UN Security Council to see the report as a mere irritant to efforts to resolve the conflicts in Eastern DRC and promote reconciliation between Rwanda and the Congo.

Huffington Post

It is a collective, interactive effort, not mere political allegiance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere effort" to downplay the amount of work or energy expended in achieving a result, often to highlight the disproportionate outcome or to express surprise at the ease with which something was accomplished.

Common error

Avoid using "mere effort" when the endeavor actually required significant work or dedication. Doing so can undermine the achievement and appear disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere effort" functions as a noun phrase, where "mere" modifies the noun "effort". It describes the quantity or quality of the work undertaken. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere effort" is a phrase used to describe a small or insignificant amount of work or exertion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate for expressing surprise, skepticism, or downplaying the amount of work involved. Alternatives like "minimal exertion" or "slight endeavor" can be used to convey similar meanings. Avoid using it when the effort was actually significant, as this can undermine the accomplishment. Overall, the phrase is useful for emphasizing the disproportionate outcome relative to the investment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal exertion

Emphasizes the reduced physical or mental activity required.

slight endeavor

Highlights the small scale of the undertaking.

trivial attempt

Underscores the insignificance of the try.

basic application

Focuses on the fundamental aspect of the execution.

simple action

Highlights the straightforward nature of the act.

small task

Emphasizes the limited scope of work.

easy undertaking

Highlights the lack of difficulty of the action.

nominal work

Focuses on the small amount of labour involved.

passing shot

Implies a quick or superficial try.

quick fix

Emphasizes a fast, often temporary, solution with minimal effort.

FAQs

How can I use "mere effort" in a sentence?

You can use "mere effort" to describe a situation where the amount of work put in was surprisingly small compared to the result. For example, "Despite his mere effort in studying, he aced the test."

What can I say instead of "mere effort"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal exertion", "slight endeavor", or "trivial attempt" depending on the context.

Is "mere effort" formal or informal?

"Mere effort" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in written communication, especially news and analytical writing.

How does "mere effort" differ from "significant effort"?

"Mere effort" emphasizes the small amount of work done, while "significant effort" highlights that a considerable amount of work was required. They are antonyms, used to describe opposite ends of the effort spectrum.